The Program Links window lists all the Program Bridges you can link to from Open Dental. From here you can enable/disable a bridge, set up clickable toolbar buttons to access the bridge, and enter other bridge-specific information. For specific setup steps for each bridge, refer to the individual bridge page.

In the main menu, click Setup, Program Links.

All bridges that currently have a bridge with Open Dental will list. If you do not see a bridge, you may be able to set up a custom bridge. See Custom Bridges.

To set up a bridge, double click it. In each bridge's Program Link window, default settings will auto-populate.

Internal Name: The internal name of the bridge.

Description: The name of the bridge as it shows in the list of Program Links.

Enabled: Check to enable the bridge. Uncheck to disable the bridge.

Hide unused button: This option only shows for bridges that have clickable buttons in Open Dental, if the bridge is disabled (Enabled is unchecked). Check the box to hide the button in the software (e.g. on the Reports window, Backup window).

Path of file to open: The path to the program's executable (.exe) on your computer or network. It can be a local path or a server path. This path will be used by all computers connected to the database, unless you enter a local path override on an individual machine. Note:
If the path is inaccurate, and Open Dental cannot find the .exe file, then the program bridge will not work.

Local Path Override: On an individual machine you can enter a path to a program's executable (.exe) that will override the Path of file to open. This is usually left blank.

Optional command line arguments: If a program bridge requires a command line argument, it will be specified in the Notes area. Otherwise this is usually left blank.

Text on Button: The text that will appear on the toolbar button, if you select to display a button in a module.

Remote Desktop SolutionsIf you have a server using terminal services that users remotely connect to, consider using the RemoteExecuter program by MQ Technologies. RemoteExecuter passes the command to launch the software to the local computer, instead of launching the program on the server computer.

The Path of file to open should contain the path to RemoteExecuter.

Enter the path of the program to launch (e.g. VistaDent.exe) in the Optional command line arguments field.